Tag: Photography

I’m having a little break from urban and industrial photos as I switch gears back to nature and my more natural surroundings.

This has partly been kicked off by the arrival of autumn and the many colours and brilliant sunsets and sunrises it brings. To be honest though, any time of year and any season will do. I like the very different weather spectrums each season brings, the sweeping changes to the world around us, and the impact these changes have on our day-to-day lives.

Back to nature. The sun rising over Rattray Marsh on the edge of Lake Ontario on a beautiful autumn morning.

I particularly like getting up early in the morning, wandering out in the darkness and heading to an enticing natural environment to watch the sunrise. Back to nature. At this time of year it’s great to watch the rapidly changing colours and the lifting light as the sun prepares to rise above the horizon. The sounds of birds singing, animals scurrying around and the sight of the occasional human “early bird” exploring in peace.

Back to nature. Ducks on parade as the sun rises over Lake Ontario.

It’s a great way to start the day. Out early, invigorating walk, fresh air, see the world from a different perspective, a good bit of exploration and photos. Definitely a good way to earn your breakfast.

Back to nature as the sun prepares to hit the horizon near Waterford, Ontario.

Of course, the real challenge is with the ice cold temperatures of winter, when they arrive, and the very early sunrise of summer. But I don’t need to worry about either of those right now. Enjoy the moment!

I’m always interested to see which images are among my most popular photos at any given time. A number of factors come into play, including the location (where it was taken and where it’s seen), personal preference as well as the subject matter, composition, colour set, and who knows what else?

This image – Flower of Industry – often attracts attention and engages people time and again, especially when I’m at events. The abstract look gets people curious about what it is and what’s going on. I’m often asked if it’s a composite, if the flower has been superimposed, if the image has been “photoshopped”.

The simple answer to all of those questions is “no”. It’s a photograph of a wonderful metal sculpture of a coneflower, perched on the side of a building at Evergreen Brickworks in Toronto. I have done some colour adjustments to highlight the tones of the flower sculpture, but otherwise it’s a simple photograph of an impressive piece of art work.

I love to visit Evergreen Brickworks, and it’s a popular Toronto attraction. It’s a wonderful place that has blended art, industry, technology, enterprise and conservation. If you haven’t been yet, maybe it’s time to pay a visit!

And if you think you’d like a framed print of this curious image, you can find it in my sales gallery.

I haven’t been showing my work a lot lately but this weekend will change that as it’s definitely show time!

The Queen West Art Crawl is happening this Saturday and Sunday, September 22nd and 23rd from around 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. each day. It’s at the lovely Trinity Bellwoods Park in Toronto, there are 200 exhibitors, music, food and a beer garden. What more could you want?

I thought I’d post one of my new images that I really like the look of right now – Spin. This is a colourful abstract reflecting the bright lights and action of a fun fair.

I like the rich, vibrant colours, the complementary shapes and lines, and the juxtaposition of fast motion framed by seemingly static and angular pillars of light.

It’s unlikely you’d ever find me on a fairground ride but the whole concept, and observing people’s sheer fear and enjoyment, is fascinating enough by itself. This image is one of a few I took as I meandered around the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto one evening. The sight, sound and smells can create enough sensory stimulation even without the fear (in my case) of a topsy turvy ride that challenges the staying power of everything I’ve eaten in the past twelve hours!

Spin is the first of a set of pictures highlighting the energetic and entertaining atmosphere of the CNE. I’ve just had the first print of this image framed and made ready for its appearance at the Queen West Art Crawl in Toronto next weekend – September 22nd & 23rd. After that, you might just see it in my sales gallery in the near future, along with some other new images.

Well, I’ve been experimenting with a new direction for some of my photographs recently as I venture further into creating composite images. I still I love the landscape and other photos I’ve been taking, exploring the great outdoors in all its variations, but I’ve felt an urge to get more adventurous in the way I present them.

The image above is one such example of my composite images. It’s shows how I’m working with different components, in this case to show how nature and industry – or urban and rural – exist alongside each other. How far do they conflict and cooperate as they cross paths in the same locale? With urban regeneration and land reclamation (in this case wetlands) often going on in the same areas, it’s easy to see how people are rethinking how these things coexist.

New web site coming!

On another note, we’ve been having a great summer and I think I’ll use that as my excuse for why I haven’t been posting anything here on my web site, or doing much on the social media front. Relax or change your routine and it’s so hard to keep up with everything! I’m hoping to remedy that in the near future.

One of the first steps though, will be overhauling this web site. It’s going to get a new look and a new set of more up to date pictures that will be easier to browse (themes) and purchase, if you feel inclined.

Show time is off to a good start! Landscape & Seascape is the current group exhibition at Art Square Gallery & Cafe’s Hub Gallery in downtown Toronto, and I’m happy to say I have a few of my photos in this exhibition.

This show features landscape & seascape work from fourteen wonderful and varied artists, with a little something for everyone. Running from April 9th until April 23rd, you can also drop in to the opening reception this Thursday, April 12th between 7.00 p.m. and 9.00 p.m. A chance to meet everyone, peruse and even buy, if you feel so inclined!

This show comes hot on the heels of the opening of the Fleck Fine Art Spring Catalogue exhibition, which had the opening reception last week. I have my “In My View” image in that show (image below and details in the posting below). This show runs until April 18th.

In My View. Liverpool: A city that leaves its mark.

It’s a busy time as I try to combine picture taking and making, presentation and showing but I think I’m up to the challenge. New pictures coming soon! In the meantime, please take a look at my sales gallery and feel free to send me a message if you’re interested in something that’s not included in the gallery.

Art Square Gallery and Cafe is at 334 Dundas Street West, Toronto. Across the road from the AGO! You can find more information about it here